New addition previously snubbed an Ibrox move in January
Rangers midfielder Dan Neil claims his transfer to Ibrox represents the ‘perfect challenge’ for him at this stage in his career after favouring a move to Govan over the likes of Wolves and Southampton.
The former Sunderland man was in talks to head to Glasgow in January but ended up being loaned out to Ipswich Town instead, where he helped the Tractor Boys earn promotion to the Premier League. However, upon the expiration of his Black Cats contract, the 24-year old was thrilled Rangers interest re-emerged in the summer. Earlier this month, free agent Neil signed a three-year deal at Ibrox.
A former skipper at the Stadium of Light, Neil embodies the exact type of player new Rangers boss Derek McInnes is looking for, as someone who has demonstrated leadership qualities in front of a large, passionate fanbase. The Englishman, who captained Sunderland to promotion via the Championship Play-Offs during the 2024/25 campaign, also wore the armband for Rangers in their recent behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against Kaizer Chiefs in Spain.
Neil captained Sunderland to the Premier League.placeholder image
Neil captained Sunderland to the Premier League. | Getty Images
Why did Neil choose to sign for Rangers?
The midfielder told the Glasgow Times: "I think that word ‘challenge’ is probably the biggest word in my decision-making. I think the last two years have been very successful in the Championship in England, and I wanted a new challenge, a new chapter almost, and a new goal to strive for.
“When Rangers came calling, I thought, ‘This is the perfect challenge for me,’ and that was pretty much it in terms of my decision-making. I’ve played in front of big crowds every week and had that expectation of winning. It’s a massive driving factor for me day in, day out, so all those little factors tallied up to my decision.
“It’s something that drives me day in, day out, doing things right and preparing as well as I can for upcoming games, knowing that the fans are desperate to win and there’s almost that expectation to win every single week. It’s a massive factor in the way I work every day and the character I am, and I’d say it was a massive factor when I was choosing Rangers."
Neil spent 16 years at the Stadium of Light as he come through the youth ranks.placeholder image
Neil spent 16 years at the Stadium of Light as he come through the youth ranks. | Getty Images
Why did Neil choose Ipswich over Rangers in January?
Having signed for his Sunderland at the age of nine, Neil’s 16 year stint at his boyhood club ended in the summer as the club decided not to renew his contract after he struggled for minutes in the Premier League. He spent his last six months on loan at Portman Road despite Rangers interest, however he claims an Ibrox move wasn’t an option seven months ago through club regulations.
He continued: “Yeah, [a move] was pretty close in January. I’d spoken to the club midway through last season. There was a slight issue in terms of loans: Sunderland had a lot of players out on loan abroad, so unfortunately it wasn’t going to work for a loan until the end of the season. That’s why I decided to stay in England and go to Ipswich, and I loved my time there. It was a successful end to the season, but when the interest was reignited in the summer [from Rangers], I was pretty set on where I wanted to go."
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